People Are Taking Hilariously Awkward Holiday Portraits at JCPenney

@giovanamaldo We laughed so much #fyp #awkward #photoshoot #jcpenneyphotoshoot #popular ♬ Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington, Jr.

There are many traditions surrounding the holidays. For those who celebrate Christmas, putting up a tree and decorating the house are two of the most festive events. This season is also a popular time for many families and couples to take holiday portraits. While some may treat this as a formal event, there is a hilarious trend on TikTok that is inspiring people to bond in a different way—by taking awkward portraits at JCPenney.

The #jcpenneyphotoshoot involves bringing your loved ones to the department store and reenacting some of the cliches involved with holiday portraits. Many TikTokers arrived in ugly Christmas sweaters, others changed into flannel pajamas at the location, and certain groups strut into the studio in matching denim outfits. Once they get in front of the camera though, the real fun begins. In the videos, we see siblings and partners posing in several odd positions, like getting in a line and holding the other person's waist from the back, or holding someone's leg.

Although the images are funny enough on their own, the best part about this trend is seeing how much fun the participants have in doing it. Most TikTokers include behind-the-scenes snippets of them preparing for each photo, many times capturing people in the midst of laughter. Siblings joke about what their mom's reaction will be to seeing these intentionally strange portraits, and several friend groups prove that the trend can be a great bonding experience as well.

Scroll down to see more results from the #jcpenneyphotoshoot.

People are going viral for their awkward holiday portraits at JCPenney.

@tybabeeee Happy Holidays ya’ll❤️ #jcpenneyphotoshoot #christmas #funnycouples #fypシ ♬ Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington, Jr.

Siblings, couples, and friends are all participating in the #jcpenneyphotoshoot trend on TikTok.

@maddywatkins92 Moms definitely going to cry #jcpenney #jcpennyportraits #funny #awkward #fyp #jcpenneyphotoshoot @WiLl:| @swatkins6398 @jillyshides @Thomas ♬ All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

It involves taking pictures in a variety of funny poses.

@cburkesstudioproductions If its not like this I dont want it. #jcpenneychallenge #jcpenneyphotoshoot #fyp #photoshoot #holiday #uglysweaters ♬ Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington, Jr.

Many people choose to wear ugly Christmas sweaters, pajamas, or other matching outfits.

@mariyakatrenyak jcpenny photoshoot – christmas edition ❤️ #awkwardphotoshoot #jcpenneyphotoshoot #christmascard #jcpennychristmas #holidayedition #bestfriends #fyp ♬ Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington, Jr.

These videos are both funny and heartwarming, as they show how much fun the participants have in doing it.

@sydneymadams__ Replying to @JuliHolmes this was so fun hahahahahaha #christmasphotoshoot #jcpenneyphotoshoot #christmaspictures #jcpenneyportraits ♬ Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

@tammythuy holiday cards coming soon….#jcpenneyphotoshoot #jcpenney #siblings ♬ Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington, Jr.

@susneyg This is your sign to rock candian tuxedos with your girls #awkwardfamilyphotos #girls #jcpenneyphotoshoot #fyp ♬ Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington, Jr.

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Margherita Cole

Margherita Cole is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and illustrator based in Southern California. She holds a BA in Art History with a minor in Studio Art from Wofford College, and an MA in Illustration: Authorial Practice from Falmouth University in the UK. She wrote and illustrated an instructional art book about how to draw cartoons titled 'Cartooning Made Easy: Circle, Triangle, Square' that was published by Walter Foster in 2022.
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